Some years you get to the end of and think - well that went fast, and as you look back you realise little has happened. This was not one of those years - so much has happened in the world and our nation that it hardly seems one year could hold it all in.
It has been quite a full year for us as a family, as we have ridden the waves of the events of 2012 - from the good (the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Jubilee , the bad (economic woes, unending rain, and the growing wars and revolutions shaking the world), and the ugly (the weather, again!). I am sure it has been a full year for all of you, and it would be lovely to hear your news too, but in the meantime, here's a few snippets from our year.
Aimie is growing fast and developing a fascination with music, singing and dancing (culminating on being a singing Brussel Sprout at her school Christmas production, and then volunteering to go on stage and dance 'Gangnam Style' at a local panto). She is taking every opportunity to read and write, and her enjoyment of school has not abated, despite going up into year one and starting doing proper school work. Other than winding her mother up by doing Gangnam Style around the house, she likes to aggravate everyone by singing Justin Beiber songs and generally being a pickle! She also is still perfecting the art of being a sweetie and wrapping everyone round her little finger.
Sam has just gone up to year five, which has entailed doing a lot more work than he has previously been used to, but he seems to be adapting and enjoying having a male teacher for the first time. His overriding obsession remains Doctor Who, although he is developing an appreciation of the comedy of Rowan Atkinson (especially his Mr Bean and Blackadder incarnations), Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and Phineas & Ferb.
Hannah writes:
Wow! 2012 was the most amazing year of my life so far!
There was me passing the 11+, getting into the best grammar school in the area (and i don’t mean to boast!), the sats, ending primary school :-( , starting secondary school!! , New Wine! Turning 12, making masses of new friends, my first Christmas ever at the RGS (Rochester Grammar School), and who could forget the Olympics (which we got to go and watch! - well the Paralympics but they’re both in the Olympic stadium!). And the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! When all of this wasn't happening I was sitting around listening to music, knitting/crocheting or camping and getting frozen to death! And of course who could forget (well me probably!) the dreaded homework!
Debbi writes:
Steve been keeping up his running this year (while still totally failing to get a place in any of the main marathons and half marathons in the area!), although Debbi suspects it is just an excuse to escape the house for an hour or so a couple of times a week!
One of the highlights of Steve's year had to be going with the family to the Paralympics in September and in particular seeing Richard Whitehead get the gold in epic style in the men's 200m T-42. The atmosphere at the Olympic Park and the general buzz around London this summer has been fantastic, and we all enjoyed being part of it, even if only for just the one day.
He has been mostly UK based with work, and is enjoying actually being with the family more often than not. His role with CMF continues in much the same vein as it has for several years. His one overseas trip was to Santiago in Chile for a week in November for a Christian nurses conference. It was a great eye opener to a part of the world about which he (still) knows comparatively little.
This year Steve has also been reading a lot - George R R Martin, Suzanne Collins, Diarmud McCulloch and Tom Wright in particular, and listening a lot to the music of Melody Gardot and Madelien Peyroux, as well as getting cold and wet camping with the family (this has not been the best year weather-wise for holidaying in the British Isles!). Here's hoping for some drier, warmer weather next year!
It has been quite a full year for us as a family, as we have ridden the waves of the events of 2012 - from the good (the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Jubilee , the bad (economic woes, unending rain, and the growing wars and revolutions shaking the world), and the ugly (the weather, again!). I am sure it has been a full year for all of you, and it would be lovely to hear your news too, but in the meantime, here's a few snippets from our year.
Aimie is growing fast and developing a fascination with music, singing and dancing (culminating on being a singing Brussel Sprout at her school Christmas production, and then volunteering to go on stage and dance 'Gangnam Style' at a local panto). She is taking every opportunity to read and write, and her enjoyment of school has not abated, despite going up into year one and starting doing proper school work. Other than winding her mother up by doing Gangnam Style around the house, she likes to aggravate everyone by singing Justin Beiber songs and generally being a pickle! She also is still perfecting the art of being a sweetie and wrapping everyone round her little finger.
Sam has just gone up to year five, which has entailed doing a lot more work than he has previously been used to, but he seems to be adapting and enjoying having a male teacher for the first time. His overriding obsession remains Doctor Who, although he is developing an appreciation of the comedy of Rowan Atkinson (especially his Mr Bean and Blackadder incarnations), Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and Phineas & Ferb. Hannah writes:
Wow! 2012 was the most amazing year of my life so far!
There was me passing the 11+, getting into the best grammar school in the area (and i don’t mean to boast!), the sats, ending primary school :-( , starting secondary school!! , New Wine! Turning 12, making masses of new friends, my first Christmas ever at the RGS (Rochester Grammar School), and who could forget the Olympics (which we got to go and watch! - well the Paralympics but they’re both in the Olympic stadium!). And the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! When all of this wasn't happening I was sitting around listening to music, knitting/crocheting or camping and getting frozen to death! And of course who could forget (well me probably!) the dreaded homework!
This has been a strange and shifting year with a lot of
letting go and moving on and even more taking on and learning on the job. Last year I mentioned that I had been asked
to join the team of “Aunties” at the kid’s former pre-school that holds its
sessions in our church hall. The first half of this year has involved
spending a day a week working there,
getting to learn how things are run on the coal face and getting training on
issues such as child protection and the new incarnation of the EYFS that has come into being this
September. Since the previous setting
manager retired in July, Claire (my friend and partner in this venture) and I
have taken on that role working there 3 days a week each, as has the current
owner. This will continue until next September
when the owner of 36 years retires and I will take on the business and the
responsibility with it. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared of what the
next year will hold but I’m excited to be involved too. It has been the steepest
learning curve since I first became a parent.
The children are wonderful and the staff are fantastic and eager to
embrace new ideas. The Lord is really
walking with us and equipping us.
With this new venture taking up so much time and energy, I
have had to step back from volunteering at the children’s school and the admin
I had been doing for the church over the last 10 years (I have and will
continue to help organise and run the Holiday Club though). I am also about to organise my last ever
Christmas party for the Parent and Toddler group as I hand that over to very
capable new blood. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and days in the week any more. The children
have graciously put up with my lovely neighbours and mum taking them to school
several times a week while I open up at work and even dubbed me “Auntie Mummy”.
The housework and I have had a falling
out and no longer talk.
Steve been keeping up his running this year (while still totally failing to get a place in any of the main marathons and half marathons in the area!), although Debbi suspects it is just an excuse to escape the house for an hour or so a couple of times a week!One of the highlights of Steve's year had to be going with the family to the Paralympics in September and in particular seeing Richard Whitehead get the gold in epic style in the men's 200m T-42. The atmosphere at the Olympic Park and the general buzz around London this summer has been fantastic, and we all enjoyed being part of it, even if only for just the one day.
He has been mostly UK based with work, and is enjoying actually being with the family more often than not. His role with CMF continues in much the same vein as it has for several years. His one overseas trip was to Santiago in Chile for a week in November for a Christian nurses conference. It was a great eye opener to a part of the world about which he (still) knows comparatively little.
This year Steve has also been reading a lot - George R R Martin, Suzanne Collins, Diarmud McCulloch and Tom Wright in particular, and listening a lot to the music of Melody Gardot and Madelien Peyroux, as well as getting cold and wet camping with the family (this has not been the best year weather-wise for holidaying in the British Isles!). Here's hoping for some drier, warmer weather next year!
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